Are Gas Logs healthy for indoor air?

[Barcino]

We are considering buying either a vented or non vented gas log set. It is going to be steep with the natural gas prices so we are thinking this might help. I am wondering about whether this will be bad for indoor air quality though... does anybody know?

Thanks!

[alegna]

not that I know of, but lurking for more info

-Angela

[Barcino]

I am sure the vented ones would be better than non vented - becuase the gas burning has to give off junk I am sure and if it is non vented well it goes straight in your house. Of course those are the most energy efficient ones :

[spero]

Didn't know you could buy a non-vented variety....so where does the excess carbon monoxide go if it's not vented???

As I understand it, venting a gas log FP or stove is simple and requires little effort...it can go right out the side of the house, no chimney required. Or you can just run a flue pipe up an existing chimney. The logs themselves are ceramic, I think; and AFAIK would cause no air quality problems, esp since a gas unit is typically sealed with a glass front.

[bluets]

a gas unit isn't necessarily sealed. ours isn't, for instance. ours does have venting to the outside as well - the fireplace itself was made to be either wood-burning or a gas log. now that we have the log installed, we obviously can't use it for wood.

with high gas prices, i'm thinking that ours is a really nice log to look at without actually igniting it!

gotta be careful with children and gas fireplaces because the glass gets HOT!

[SusannahM]

If you already have a fireplace and are concerned about the prices of heating, I would recommend just keeping it a wood fireplace. Wood gives off a lot more heat than gas.

[momto l&a]

Unvented put HUGE amounts of moisture into the air.

For some that just increases mold problems